PlayStation Vita: What we're anticipating

Our Vitas are on the way. What are we most excited for?

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It’s PlayStation Vita launch day in Japan. As we post this, our connection is picking up Vitas and memory cards for us. We’ve already got our shortlist of games secured and confirmed. And we’re coming in over the weekend to shoot some special videos for you. So, as we wait for our man to pass through customs with the goods, we’ve decided to poll the GamesRadar office for what they’re anticipating from this weekend’s launch. Here’s what we had to say:

Gary Steinman, Editor in Chief

Hollander Cooper, News Editor

No, the thing that intrigues me is the multiple control mechanics, which could make for some of the most interesting gaming experiences yet. This thing has a gyroscope, a touch screen, two analog sticks, and a back touch screen? That’s crazy. I can’t wait for a game that uses all of them well. The best 3DS and Wii games were the ones that truly took full advantage of the control mechanisms, and I have a feeling we’ll be able to say the same in a few years looking back at the Vita. Developers have new tools at their disposal, and seeing how they use them has me ready to drop my money on day one.

Sophia Tong, Managing Editor

I’ve already played a handful of games with console counterparts such as LittleBigPlanet, Dynasty Warriors, Modnation Racers and Hot Shots Golf and I was impressed with how these titles looked on the 5-inch screen. None of these were ports though, but built from the ground up specifically for the Vita.

But what I’m really looking forward to is seeing what kind of original IPs developers will come up with. Sound Shapes is one of my most anticipated games on the system and I’m hoping that there will be other creative minds in the industry lined up to take advantage of the Vita’s hardware.

Sterling McGarvey, Multimedia Editor

I sense that, based on what I played at E3, the quality of games isn’t much of an issue. So for me, the most intriguing element of the Vita is the operating system and how my PSN ID will interact with it. I loved my PSP, but I really wanted so much more out of it, and I thought that Sony wasn’t nearly as quick to jump onboard with the sorts of tweaks that the platform needed. With a new machine and a much more proactive stance, I’m excited for how Sony will really tap into its potential.

So, yeah, it’ll be nice to have my trophies for handheld games showing up on Facebook and all, but I really want to get in and toy with its capabilities and see the foundation for what the machine can be.

Charlie Barratt, Senior Games Editor

But here’s the question I’m anticipating an answer to: Will developers take advantage? We’ve seen some very impressive, quirky stuff from Sony at various preview events (Sound Shapes and Escape Plan come immediately to mind), but if the Vita is to avoid the malaise that eventually overtook much of the Wii and DS libraries (or even the original PSP), third-party companies will have to join the first-party developers in constantly pushing the envelope and surprising us with bold new experiences. If they can, this will be an amazing system. I can’t wait to find out.

What are you hoping to see from the PlayStation Vita before it hits your shores? Also, don't forget to check back on Sunday (that's Pacific time) for updates as we start to jump in and get hands on with the new hardware!